Cay
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A cay (also spelled key or quay; all are pronounced alike as "key" IPA: /kiː/) is a small, low island consisting mostly of sand or coral. Cays often occur in tropical environments, such as the Caribbean, the Great Barrier Reef and the Belize Barrier Reef.
Sand cays are formed when tidal action, wind and sea birds deposit coral debris and sand onto reef flats over a long period of time. These deposits usually occur on the leeward side of the reef, but occasionally made on the windward side. Weather affects the formation of cays greatly; large tides would bring much more debris onto the cay and thus make it larger, while a hurricane could completely obliterate a cay.
[edit] Examples
Well known examples of cays include
- the Florida Keys
- Heron Island, a coral cay
[edit] References
el:Κη es:Cayo fr:Cayes ja:キー (島) nds:Cay simple:Cay
